Getting Past the Resume Screen

By: Kandice Thorn

With many people submitting resumes for summer or permanent positions these days, I thought it would be worthwhile this week to write a post about how to get your resume noticed. This is a question I get frequently, especially as the use of online systems to manage application processes has proliferated.  Often it can feel like your resume is being sent off into a void. Indeed, you can never know what's happening on the "back end" when you apply this way (or even when you are applying via email), but there are a few things you can do to increase the odds of securing an interview.

• Follow instructions carefully. For example, a posting may request that applicants send a resume and salary requirements to a specific email address with "REF201210" in the subject line. If you omit any of these elements, you will give the impression that you are careless and not enthusiastic about the position--not a great first impression! Before you hit 'send' or 'submit,' review the posting carefully to be sure you have included everything they have asked for.  If you include more than they ask for, be sure to point this out. For example, if you were responding to the posting described above, and you wanted to include a writing sample, your cover email shouldn't say "Attached please find my resume, salary requirements, and writing sample." Rather, it should say something like this: "As requested, attached please find my resume and salary requirements for your consideration. I have also attached a short writing sample, which you may find useful in evaluating my qualifications."        
• Take care in drafting your cover e-mail. There should be no typos and the formatting should be as clean as possible. Remember that e-mails are easily forwarded; assume that the most senior person in the office will be reading your cover e-mail. Give your cover e-mail the same level of attention that you would give to a more formally written letter.  
• Attach documents in PDF format, unless otherwise specified. Some postings request that documents be attached in Word format, in which case you should follow the instructions. In all other cases, you should attach documents in PDF format, as formatting in Word documents can become problematic when opened on a computer with different default settings. Always double check the PDF after converting to be sure that the conversion was clean. Fordham's computers have a version of Adobe that will allow you to convert a Word document directly to a PDF. If you need help using this function, you should contact the Law School Help Desk.  
• Adapt your resume so that it is specific to the job posting. Especially when you are applying for a job using an online system, use the exact language in the job posting, as a computer may be doing the first screen. For example, if the job posting requires experience with "M&A", a computer may scan resumes for the term "M&A" and exclude any resume that doesn't contain that term.
• If you know someone in the organization, let them know you've applied. Emailing a contact at the organization to let them know you have applied is a great way to ensure that your resume gets at least a glance. Asking the person to put in a good word for you would be too forward; rather, you should let them know you have applied and ask for advice. Perhaps they know something about the open position and could offer some advice. Leave it up to them to bring it to the attention of the appropriate contact at the organization. 

• Don't neglect the follow up. Often people fail to follow up with respect to positions they apply for in response to job postings, especially when the application involves an online application process. Call the HR department or the person to whom you submitted your resume to inquire as to the status of your application. Follow up one week after submitting your resume. If you hear back from them and they do not have an update, inquire as to when you should follow up again. If they do not respond to your initial follow up message, send another email one week later.
• Persevere, and don't get discouraged. Keep it in perspective - remember that these positions often get dozens of applications, so the competition can be daunting. A rejection is not personal and is a reflection of the hyper-competitive job market, not your qualifications or talent. Remember to keep pursuing other avenues, especially through networking.